79th Independence Day 2025: PM Modi’s Longest-Ever Address, High Security, Bold Announcements from Red Fort
New Delhi, Friday, August 15, 2025 — Happy Independence Day, India! This morning, the Tricolour was hoisted at the Red Fort, fluttering against grey skies and light rain, as a billion people celebrated freedom and unity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the 79th Independence Day with his longest speech ever, a 103-minute address from the ramparts of the Red Fort under this year’s theme, “Naya Bharat”.
The day began with PM Modi paying floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat before receiving a ceremonial guard of honour and hoisting the national flag. The celebrations unfolded under unprecedented security, with more than 40,000 paramilitary personnel, NSG commandos, rooftop snipers, anti-drone systems, and 1,000 CCTV cameras guarding a 9-km radius around the Red Fort.
Operation Sindoor, India’s strongest retaliatory strike on Pakistan-backed terror bases earlier this year, took centre stage in the Prime Minister’s address. Thirteen officers received the Vir Chakra, while seven others were honoured with the rare Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal for their roles in the four-day tri-service offensive.
The Prime Minister also announced the launch of Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a new indigenous precision weapon system, alongside “next-generation” GST reforms aimed at easing the burden on small and medium businesses. He doubled down on calls for self-reliance in defence, energy, and technology, framing it as essential in an era of “global economic selfishness.”
In Nagaland, celebrations took place under tight security after insurgent groups NSCN/GPRN (Yung Aung) and ULFA-I called for a boycott, joined by the 5-Tribes Committee protesting job reservation policies. The state government made attendance at official functions mandatory for staff, while student bodies in several districts barred schools from participating.
From the south, Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar urged citizens to uphold democratic values and work toward a Viksit Bharat — an inclusive, self-reliant India.
In Delhi, traffic restrictions locked down key roads near the Red Fort from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m., with commuters urged to take the metro or use alternative routes. The India Meteorological Department forecast cloudy skies, occasional showers, and temperatures between 23°C and 33°C, providing some relief for the thousands in attendance.
Beyond the political stage, the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) marked the day with special sessions, including its signature “Y-Break” program, reinforcing yoga’s role in fostering discipline, harmony, and public service.
The message of the day remains clear: India’s journey from colonial rule to a bold, self-reliant “Naya Bharat” is still unfolding — and every citizen has a part to play.
